WEBVTT

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 This afternoon I want to talk to you about preparing for the future.

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 In a few years I will retire.

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! I know that's hard to believe looking at me.

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 That's a joke.

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 In a few years I will retire.

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 And you know, that is a concern of mine.

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 Have I set aside enough for retirement?

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 Have I prepared for the future?

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 Do I have enough money to take care of me and my wife in the future?

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 But we want to think about this afternoon preparing for our future.

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 Not maybe the 10, 5, 10, 20 years of retirement.

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 But we want to think about our future.

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 The millions of years that are ahead of us in eternity.

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 How do you and I prepare for our future in eternity?

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 Well, of course, the first and most obvious way is we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus.

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 His work on the cross.

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 His death on the cross.

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 His shed blood.

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 We ask God to save us on the basis of what Jesus has done.

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 The first and most obvious way of preparing for our retirement is putting our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 But that's not what I'm going to talk about this morning.

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 Excuse me, this afternoon.

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 We're not going to talk about how to get to heaven, but how to prepare for ourselves a future in heaven.

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 You know, there's something that this parable teaches that is absolutely amazing.

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 There's something that we can do right now which will affect our time in eternity.

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 It will affect our reward in eternity.

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 And it has to do with how we use our money right now.

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 The amazing truth that Jesus teaches in this parable is that you and I can use our money here and now in a way that will ensure a wonderful welcome for us at the gates of heaven.

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 You know, this is a parable that is rarely preached from.

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 Maybe in all my years as a Christian, I've only heard maybe two or three sermons on this parable.

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 And I think one of the reasons is because it does present some problems in interpretation.

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 It's a puzzling parable.

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 And what puzzles people is, is this dishonest man, is he commended for his dishonesty?

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 How are we to interpret this parable?

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 Of course, parables are a common way that Jesus teaches.

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 They've been called earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

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 They're a story from everyday life that illustrates a spiritual truth.

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 But people get into trouble when they're interpreting parables when they try and press every detail of the parable to have a spiritual meaning.

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 Usually in parables, Jesus has one point, one spiritual meaning, one spiritual truth he's trying to get across.

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 And we don't need to press every detail to have a meaning or an interpretation.

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 And we need to remember that as we look at this parable.

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 How can you and I prepare for eternity?

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 Not how we'll get to heaven, but how can we affect, influence, the reward, the reception that we will get when we get to heaven?

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 We're going to divide this into four sections.

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 The first is the plight of the dishonest manager.

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 The second one is the scheme of the dishonest manager.

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 The third one is the commendation of the dishonest manager by his master.

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 And then the last point, the fourth point, is Jesus' application of the parable.

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 So the first point is this.

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 The plight of the dishonest manager, this is in verses 1 through 3, we're introduced to someone here who is called a manager.

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 Older translations, they are called a steward.

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 What is a steward?

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 A steward in the ancient world was a business manager.

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 You had a rich man.

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 He had great estates, great agricultural holdings.

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 This businessman, his estate produced olive oil and it produced wheat and these agricultural products were sold.

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 But seemingly, this rich man lived at some distance from his estates.

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 So what did he do?

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 He had a steward, he had a business manager who would oversee his affairs.

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 In other words, his estate was entrusted into the hands of his business manager.

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 And his business manager would sell his agricultural commodities and collect the money.

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 He was his representative in business transactions.

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 The steward was entrusted with what belonged to the master.

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 His estate, his wealth, but not for his own personal gain, but for the gain of the master.

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 You know, there's an application here to you and me as Christians.

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 We sustain exactly the same relationship to God.

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 If you are a Christian, if you know the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a steward.

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 God has entrusted things to you.

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 You don't have anything in and of yourself.

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 Everything you have has been entrusted to you by God for you to use for him and for his glory.

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 Not for yourself.

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 We are stewards just like this man.

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 But there's a problem with this steward.

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 And the problem is in verse 1.

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 It says he wastes or squanders his master's possession.

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 You know, that means more than that he was simply a poor manager.

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 Down in verse 8 he's called the dishonest manager.

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 This man was a crook.

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 We're not told exactly what he did, but in some way he used his position to defraud his master.

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 To steal from his master.

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 But, he's discovered by his master.

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 Word of what he's done gets back to his master.

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 And his master is undeniably upset.

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 You know, this is the equivalent of an employee finding out that a trusted employee has been embezzling money from him for years.

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 You see what happens.

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 The master lets him go.

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 The master said, you cannot be a steward anymore.

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 You cannot be a business manager anymore.

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 I'm terminating your employment.

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 But not yet.

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 There was one thing that the sewers still had to do.

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 He had to give an account.

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 A financial account.

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 He had to close the books.

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 You see, what had he been doing for his master?

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 He'd been selling agricultural commodities.

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 And then he'd been collecting the money from debtors.

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 And then he'd been paying that money to his master.

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 So his master said, close the books.

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 Tell me how much you've sold.

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 Tell me how much money you've collected.

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 Tell me how much money that you owe me.

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 You know the same thing will happen to us.

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 One day.

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 When we die.

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 Or when Jesus returns.

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 We will have to give an account.

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 For what we've done.

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 We will have to give an account.

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 For our stewardship.

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 What are you and I.

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 Are stewards of.

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 That God has entrusted to us.

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 Our time.

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 Our gifts.

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 Our opportunity.

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 And particularly.

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 Our money.

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 We're stewards of those things.

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 And one day.

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 We'll give an account to God.

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 How we use.

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 Those resources.

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 That he entrusted to us.

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 This is 2nd Corinthians 5.10.

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 For we must all.

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 Appear.

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 Before.

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 The judgment seat of Christ.

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 This is not a judgment to determine.

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 Whether or not we get into heaven.

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 If you put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 You will get into heaven.

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 Because of what Jesus has done.

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 But this is the judgment for reward.

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 So do you see.

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 The steward's plight here.

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 What kind of.

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 What kind of a future does he have.

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 He's just lost his job.

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 And he says.

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 I cannot dig.

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 I cannot do manual labor.

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 All he's ever had.

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 Was a desk job.

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 And he says.

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 I'm too proud.

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 To beg.

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 What is he going to do.

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 How is he going to support himself.

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 In the future.

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 So he comes up with.

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 A scheme.

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 A plan.

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 So that when he's kicked out of his master's service.

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 He'll have a way.

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 A place to go.

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 And a way to live.

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 This brings us to our second point.

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 And that is the scheme.

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 Of the dishonest manager.

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 He doesn't have much time.

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 He just has a little time.

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 To close the books.

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 And he immediately comes up with a scheme.

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 And it's true to his character.

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 It is a dishonest scheme.

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 You know.

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 I don't know if you know it.

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 But the word.

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 Scheme.

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 Is used in a different way.

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 In the U.S.

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 From the way it's used here in the U.K.

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 Here in the U.K.

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 It's just a plan.

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 I think it doesn't have a connotation.

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 Scheme.

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 Good or bad.

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 But in the U.S.

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 A scheme is a plan.

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 It's dodgy.

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 It's a plan.

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 That's dishonest.

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 And that's the kind of scheme we have here.

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 He's come up with a dishonest scheme.

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 He said this is the way I'm going to be taken care of.

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 After I lose my job.

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 What I'm going to do.

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 I'm going to go see.

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 Each of my master's debtors.

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 These are businessmen.

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 Who bought agricultural commodities.

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 Either wheat or olive oil.

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 From this estate.

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 They bought them on credit.

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 And they still owe money.

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 To the master.

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 And so he goes to see each debtor.

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 And he tells them.

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 You can actually.

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 Pay.

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 Less.

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 Pay for less.

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 Than you actually got.

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 He says to the man with the olive oil.

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 You don't need to pay me.

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 For the 850 gallons.

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 Of olive oil.

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 That you got from me.

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 Why don't you just pay.

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 For 450.

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 Let's just call it even.

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 That'll be okay.

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 Let's just call it 450.

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 And then he goes to the man.

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 Who bought the wheat.

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 He bought a thousand bushels.

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 But he said.

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 Let's just make it.

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 800.

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 I'll put 800 down in the books.

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 And you just pay me for 800.

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 You see what the steward is doing.

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 He's.

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 By canceling your debts.

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 He's ingratiating.

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 These people to him.

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 He's causing them.

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 To be indebted to him.

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 So that when he loses his job.

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 These people will be obligated.

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 To take care of him.

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 Excuse me.

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 I cut this thing off here.

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 So these people will be obligated.

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 To take care of him.

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 It's a dishonest scheme.

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 But he can do it.

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 Because he is still.

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 The steward.

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 So his one last act.

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 As steward.

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 Is to cook the books.

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 Is to cancel the debtors.

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 Some of their debt.

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 So they will be obligated to him.

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 So they will.

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 Take care of him.

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 And what's he doing?

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 He's preparing.

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 For his future.

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 You know.

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 This brings us to something very unusual.

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 To something very unexpected.

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 To something surprising here.

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 And that is the third point.

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 And that is the master's commendation.

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 Of the dishonest steward.

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 The master learns about this second scheme.

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 This is the second time he's caught him in dishonesty.

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 He initially had caught him.

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 And was going to discharge him.

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 Then he told him to close out the books.

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 He came up with another dishonest scheme.

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 And now the master learns about this second dishonest scheme.

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 This second way in which the steward was going to defraud his master.

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 What kind of.

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 How do you think the master would respond?

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 You would think if he was angry the first time.

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 You would think.

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 Well he would be angry the second time.

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 He would be even more angry the second time.

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 But we see something here.

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 That is very surprising.

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 Look in verse 8.

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 In the very beginning of verse 8.

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 The master commended the dishonest manager.

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 Now the question is.

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 What did he commend him for?

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 Look again at the verse.

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 At the beginning of verse 8.

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 The master commended his dishonest manager.

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 Because he had acted shrewdly.

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 The point of commendation was.

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 His shrewdness.

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 His foresight.

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 And shrewdness.

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 In preparing for his own future.

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 Even though.

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 The master had been wronged.

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 By this man.

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 He still.

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 Could not help.

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 Admiring.

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 His shrewdness.

00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.600
 His foresight.

00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.480
 In preparing for his future.

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.240
 And then he commends him.

00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:49.439
 You know.

00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:50.399
 In light of this.

00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:53.899
 What are you and I to do?

00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:55.740
 In light of this.

00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:56.919
 How are we to prepare.

00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:57.919
 For our future.

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:59.539
 What is Jesus saying to us?

00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.799
 This is the fourth point.

00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:03.059
 This is Jesus application of the parable.

00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:05.099
 This begins in the middle of verse 8.

00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:06.740
 Jesus said.

00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.019
 For the people of this world.

00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.299
 Are more shrewd.

00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:11.079
 In dealing with their own kind.

00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:12.879
 Than are the people of the light.

00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:15.419
 Now what is Jesus saying here?

00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:17.519
 He's saying that often times.

00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:18.919
 Believers.

00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:19.979
 Unbelievers rather.

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:21.240
 People who are not Christians.

00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.579
 Are shrewder.

00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:23.919
 And wiser.

00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.159
 Than believers.

00:14:25.599 --> 00:14:26.679
 Than Christians are.

00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:26.739
 Are.

00:14:27.339 --> 00:14:28.659
 It's not that they're wiser.

00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.919
 In spiritual things.

00:14:29.919 --> 00:14:30.899
 If they were.

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:32.199
 Then they would be Christians.

00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.239
 But what Jesus is saying.

00:14:34.599 --> 00:14:35.599
 Is that unbelievers.

00:14:35.859 --> 00:14:37.239
 Are wiser and shrewder.

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.459
 In the affairs.

00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:39.939
 Of this world.

00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:42.019
 Than Christians are.

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.279
 Very often.

00:14:43.739 --> 00:14:44.479
 In the affairs.

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.459
 Of God's kingdom.

00:14:46.239 --> 00:14:47.219
 Let's face it.

00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:48.459
 Unbelievers.

00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.419
 Do a better job.

00:14:49.500 --> 00:14:50.059
 In preparing.

00:14:50.419 --> 00:14:51.159
 For their future.

00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.240
 In this life.

00:14:52.959 --> 00:14:53.819
 Than often time.

00:14:53.820 --> 00:14:54.720
 Christians do.

00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.600
 In preparing.

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.500
 For their future.

00:14:57.060 --> 00:14:57.960
 In the next life.

00:14:59.280 --> 00:14:59.900
 You know.

00:14:59.940 --> 00:15:00.320
 There's still.

00:15:00.440 --> 00:15:01.700
 An unanswered question here.

00:15:03.300 --> 00:15:04.879
 What is the preparation.

00:15:05.640 --> 00:15:07.620
 That Jesus is talking about?

00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:10.200
 What is the preparation.

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.440
 That Jesus wants.

00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:12.460
 Us to make?

00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:14.120
 How do we prepare.

00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.379
 For our future.

00:15:15.520 --> 00:15:16.460
 Not in this life.

00:15:16.700 --> 00:15:18.200
 But in the next life.

00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:19.520
 Well you say.

00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:20.180
 The way to prepare.

00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:20.740
 For our future.

00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.480
 In the next life.

00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.620
 Is to become a Christian.

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:24.200
 To trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:25.039
 That's true.

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:26.180
 That's vitally important.

00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:27.980
 But that's not Jesus point here.

00:15:28.940 --> 00:15:30.019
 What is the preparation.

00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.460
 That Jesus has in mind?

00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.460
 Jesus here.

00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:35.379
 Is talking about.

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.500
 Our reward in heaven.

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.600
 The experience.

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.539
 That we will have.

00:15:39.300 --> 00:15:39.840
 And of course.

00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.379
 Those are all by grace.

00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:43.200
 But what is the reward.

00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:44.620
 And how do we get it.

00:15:44.720 --> 00:15:45.440
 In the language.

00:15:45.560 --> 00:15:46.279
 Of this parable.

00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:47.680
 Look in verse nine.

00:15:47.740 --> 00:15:48.399
 And this is a.

00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:49.279
 Puzzling.

00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:50.420
 Mysterious verse.

00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:50.979
 If you just.

00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.439
 Take it out of the context.

00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:53.079
 Of the parable.

00:15:53.079 --> 00:15:54.000
 It's puzzling.

00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.699
 And mysterious.

00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.319
 But it makes sense.

00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:57.120
 When you look at it.

00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:57.819
 In the context.

00:15:57.819 --> 00:15:58.679
 Of the whole parable.

00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.879
 This is verse nine.

00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:00.939
 I tell you.

00:16:01.339 --> 00:16:02.939
 Use worldly wealth.

00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.959
 To gain friends.

00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.679
 For yourself.

00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.360
 So that when it is gone.

00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.839
 You will be welcomed.

00:16:09.059 --> 00:16:10.699
 Into eternal dwellings.

00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.719
 What is Jesus.

00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:13.639
 Talking about?

00:16:14.079 --> 00:16:14.819
 First of all.

00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:16.399
 Jesus is talking about.

00:16:16.959 --> 00:16:17.439
 Money.

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.099
 Here in this translation.

00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.899
 Is translated.

00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:20.519
 World.

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.639
 Worldly wealth.

00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:23.080
 Older translations.

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.240
 Say more literally.

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.120
 Mammon of unrighteousness.

00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:26.920
 But regardless.

00:16:27.080 --> 00:16:28.120
 Of how it's translated.

00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.639
 It's talking about money.

00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:30.779
 Jesus is saying.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.600
 Use your money.

00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:33.320
 To gain.

00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:34.940
 Friends.

00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.399
 You know.

00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:37.159
 I could use money.

00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:38.080
 To gain friends.

00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.580
 What if I had a stack.

00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:41.019
 Of one hundred pound notes.

00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.279
 What if I went out.

00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.860
 On the pavement.

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.360
 Out there.

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.019
 You think.

00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:45.120
 I could find some friends.

00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:46.160
 If I were giving away.

00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.460
 One hundred pound notes.

00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:49.500
 Of course I could.

00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:51.080
 But that's not what Jesus.

00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.000
 Is talking about.

00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:55.100
 Jesus is talking about.

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.420
 Gaining friends.

00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:58.460
 In eternity.

00:16:59.360 --> 00:16:59.980
 In heaven.

00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.960
 And the two things.

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:01.759
 That show us this.

00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.519
 In verse nine.

00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.139
 These.

00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:03.879
 These are friends.

00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:05.319
 Who will welcome us.

00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:05.880
 Into.

00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.579
 Eternal.

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.200
 Dwellings.

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.240
 That's heaven.

00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:11.779
 These are friends.

00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.600
 Who will welcome.

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.319
 Us.

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:15.039
 When it is gone.

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.319
 When what is gone.

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.220
 Your money.

00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:17.779
 When money.

00:17:17.939 --> 00:17:18.720
 Will no longer be.

00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.779
 Of any benefit.

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.460
 For you.

00:17:20.939 --> 00:17:21.619
 These are friends.

00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.500
 That we will have.

00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.759
 In heaven.

00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:25.159
 Who will welcome us.

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:25.720
 Into heaven.

00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.039
 You see what Jesus.

00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:27.960
 Is teaching here.

00:17:28.500 --> 00:17:29.720
 Jesus is teaching.

00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:31.000
 The astounding.

00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:31.700
 Truth.

00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.500
 That you and I.

00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.299
 Can use.

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:35.099
 Our money.

00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.700
 Here and now.

00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:38.240
 In this life.

00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:38.980
 So that.

00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:40.119
 When we die.

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.599
 There will be people.

00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:42.599


00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.519
 In heaven.

00:17:45.459 --> 00:17:46.899
 Who will welcome.

00:17:47.879 --> 00:17:48.399
 Us.

00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:51.139
 How do we make friends.

00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.879
 In eternity.

00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.240
 How do we use.

00:17:53.419 --> 00:17:54.419
 Our money now.

00:17:55.099 --> 00:17:56.559
 By meeting the needs.

00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.099
 Of people.

00:17:57.459 --> 00:17:58.240
 Physical needs.

00:17:58.339 --> 00:17:59.279
 But by especially.

00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.779
 Meeting their spiritual needs.

00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.599
 By taking our money today.

00:18:02.879 --> 00:18:04.019
 And investing it.

00:18:04.199 --> 00:18:05.159
 In God's work.

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:06.339
 In the work of the church.

00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:07.439
 In the advancement.

00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:08.159
 Of the kingdom.

00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:11.159
 And when you do that.

00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:13.380
 When you take your money today.

00:18:13.540 --> 00:18:15.040
 And invest it in God's work.

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.060
 The work of the church.

00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:17.160
 Advancing the kingdom.

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:17.960
 Both here.

00:18:18.040 --> 00:18:18.900
 And around the world.

00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:19.620
 What do you do?

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:21.080
 You're making friends.

00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:24.080
 Who will greet you.

00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:25.960
 In eternity.

00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:28.160
 Eternal reward.

00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:29.880
 It's a stunning fruit.

00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:30.860
 So the question.

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.940
 I want to ask you today.

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.080
 Are you.

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.400
 Preparing for eternity.

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.000
 First of all.

00:18:38.040 --> 00:18:39.560
 Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ.

00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.740
 Have you come to God.

00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.660
 Have you acknowledged.

00:18:41.940 --> 00:18:42.620
 Your sin.

00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.500
 And independence.

00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.620
 And ask God.

00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.839
 To save you.

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.240
 On the basis.

00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.299
 Of what Jesus has done.

00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:50.059
 His cross.

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.160
 His suffering.

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:51.940
 In our place.

00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.839
 That's the first preparation.

00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.140
 We need to do for eternity.

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.460
 But how about.

00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.380
 Your reward.

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.500
 In eternity.

00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:01.079
 Let me ask you.

00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.720
 As a Christian.

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.240
 Are you focused.

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.299
 Only here and now.

00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:08.259
 Or are you focused.

00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:09.960
 On eternity.

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.059
 Are you focused.

00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:12.000
 On the few years.

00:19:12.000 --> 00:19:13.100
 That we have on this earth.

00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:14.360
 Or are you focused.

00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:15.759
 On the millions and millions.

00:19:15.759 --> 00:19:16.380
 Of years.

00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.160
 In eternity.

00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:19.259
 What are you focused on.

00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.860
 What are you living for.

00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:22.180
 What are you using.

00:19:22.180 --> 00:19:23.620
 Your resources for now.

00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:25.079
 You can use your resources.

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.259
 For the here and now.

00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:28.259
 For your comfort.

00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.400
 In this life.

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.279
 Your pleasure.

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.120
 In this life.

00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:32.240
 Or you can invest.

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.279
 Your money today.

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.680
 In eternity.

00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:38.400
 In God's work.

00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.299
 In the spreading.

00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.060
 Of the gospel.

00:19:42.620 --> 00:19:44.220
 And you'll have friends.

00:19:45.160 --> 00:19:46.900
 For all eternity.

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.299
 It is an absolute.

00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.920
 Stunning truth.

00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.500
 That Jesus.

00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.840
 Is teaching right here.

00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.740
 Why should we.

00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.660
 Invest our money today.

00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.340
 In eternity.

00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:59.539
 And in the work of God.

00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.620
 Well one of the reasons.

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.660
 Is what we've just seen.

00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.920
 Is reward.

00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.060
 For it.

00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.519
 But you know.

00:20:04.560 --> 00:20:05.300
 There's another reason.

00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:07.100
 Why should we be willing.

00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.420
 To pay today.

00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.320
 So that others.

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.880
 Could come into God's kingdom.

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.960
 Because Jesus.

00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:18.900
 Paid.

00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:20.840
 For us.

00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:23.800
 So that we could come into God's kingdom.

00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:27.039
 Why do we want to give.

00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:28.000
 Of our time.

00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:28.880
 Our resources.

00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:31.500
 So that others could come into God's kingdom.

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.500
 For us.

00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:33.500
 For us.

00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.500
 Because Jesus.

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.160
 Because Jesus.

00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:37.000
 Gave himself.

00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:40.460
 And we want to follow Jesus.

00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:43.059
 We want to be like him.

00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.819
 As he gave himself.

00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:46.119
 For us.

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.980
 We want to give ourselves.

00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.680
 For others.

00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.420
 We want to give ourselves.

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:53.220
 So that others would know.

00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:55.519
 His salvation.

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.019
 And one of the ways we do this.

00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:59.259
 The way that we do it here.

00:20:59.259 --> 00:21:00.440
 In this parable.

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.559
 Is through our money.

00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:02.839
 I tell you.

00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:04.099
 An absolute stunning verse.

00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.000
 Let me read it again.

00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.740
 Verse 9.

00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.480
 I tell you.

00:21:06.839 --> 00:21:08.400
 Use worldly wealth.

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.900
 To gain friends for yourself.

00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:13.619
 So that when it is gone.

00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.759
 You will be welcomed.

00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:18.119
 Into eternal dwellings.

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.740
 Some of you may have heard.

00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:25.000
 Of the English.

00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.079
 Of the English.

00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:26.000
 Athlete.

00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.460
 C.T.

00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:28.920
 Stud.

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:32.759
 This was well over a hundred years ago.

00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.339
 C.T.

00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:34.680
 Stud.

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.920
 As many of you.

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.700
 I'm sure know.

00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.140
 Was a cricket player.

00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:43.140
 He was regarded as.

00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:43.880
 Maybe the best.

00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:45.400
 Greatest cricket player.

00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.200
 Of all time.

00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:48.299
 Played for Cambridge University.

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:50.639
 He was born in 1860.

00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:52.339
 Into a rich and wealthy family.

00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:52.839
 In England.

00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:55.039
 His father had been a planner.

00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.700
 In India.

00:21:55.700 --> 00:21:57.159
 And had made a great fortune.

00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.859
 His father had come back.

00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.319
 To England.

00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:00.079
 To have a life.

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.220
 Of ease and pleasure.

00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:02.680
 But his father.

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.519
 Became a Christian.

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.519
 Under the preaching.

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.099
 Of the.

00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:06.700
 American evangelist.

00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.359
 D.L.

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:07.659
 Moody.

00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.579
 And then later.

00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.200
 His son.

00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.700
 C.T.

00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.099
 Stud.

00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.279
 Became a Christian.

00:22:12.419 --> 00:22:13.200
 Also under.

00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.139
 Moody's preaching.

00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.399
 But C.T.

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:16.759
 Stud.

00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.440
 Was a sports idol.

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.599
 I guess he would be like.

00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:21.500
 The Wayne Rooney of today.

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:23.980
 Or the Lionel Messi of today.

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:25.359
 But not with football.

00:22:25.799 --> 00:22:26.480
 With cricket.

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.019
 But when he was converted.

00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.240
 When he became a Christian.

00:22:30.700 --> 00:22:31.339
 He decided.

00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:33.799
 I'm going to go to the mission field.

00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.160
 And he went.

00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:35.960
 To China.

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:37.279
 To share the gospel.

00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:37.940
 With the Chinese.

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:39.099
 Went in 1885.

00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.879
 And many people were shocked.

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.980
 Why would a sports idol.

00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.079
 Waste his talent.

00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:45.920
 And throw away his life.

00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.560
 To go.

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:48.420
 To the mission field.

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.440
 But he went to the mission field.

00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.740
 And upon his father's death.

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.820
 He became heir.

00:22:55.580 --> 00:22:57.039
 To a sizable fortune.

00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.200
 What was he going to do.

00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:00.060
 With all that money.

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.900
 You know what he did.

00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.940
 He gave it away.

00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:08.220
 He put it in God's work.

00:23:09.300 --> 00:23:10.440
 He put it in the work.

00:23:10.440 --> 00:23:11.220
 Of the church.

00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:13.080
 He put it in the work.

00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.840
 Of missions.

00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.560
 Spreading the gospel.

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.800
 Around the world.

00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.740
 You know what he said.

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.240
 I'm putting my money.

00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.000
 In the bank.

00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.759
 Of heaven.

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.980
 Here is a man who realized.

00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.180
 That if you keep your money.

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.920
 You'll only benefit from it.

00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.940
 For a short while.

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.560
 In time.

00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.120
 In this life.

00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:36.539
 But here is a man who realized.

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.960
 That if you put your money.

00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.940
 If you give your money.

00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.519
 To the work of God.

00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.759
 And the work of the kingdom.

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:43.259
 And the work of the church.

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.240
 You will benefit forever.

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:48.519
 And others will benefit ever.

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.500
 Forever.

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.640
 Let me ask you today.

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.660
 Will you have friends.

00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.279
 Who will welcome you.

00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.319
 Into eternity.

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.079
 Let's pray.

00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:02.159
 Let's pray.

00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:02.159


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